What is Caregiving?

Caregiving is a role that over a million New Jerseyans perform. Caregivers have a wide range of responsibilities, all with the purpose of ensuring services and safety for their loved ones. Caregivers may be family members, friends, or professionals who provide necessary support to someone who, due to age, illness, disability, or some other factor, cannot care for themselves.

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Events for Caregivers

Caregiver Mindfulness Retreat

This annual caregiver retreat held in the month of June by the Middlesex County Office of Aging & Disabled Services. Caregivers come together for this outdoor event designed to focus on self-care, mindfulness and learn tips on how to defeat caregiver burnout. For more information reach out to mcoads.events@co.middlesex.nj.us

Caregiver Conference

Held annually in the month of November in recognition of National Caregiver Month. This event brought forth by the Middlesex County Office of Aging & Disabled Services connects caregivers and professionals to discuss common caregiver topics. For more information reach out to mcoads.events@co.middlesex.nj.us

Being a caregiver can be a difficult responsibility. It is important that caregivers help themselves in order to avoid caregiver burnout and to provide the best care to their care recipient. Attending caregiver support groups and events for caregivers is a great option to support the caregiver and their care recipient.

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Support Groups

List of Support Groups

*Please note this list is subject to change. Please contact organizations directly for more information.

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Supportive Programs

1. Statewide Respite Care Program offers services to the person who needs care so that the caregiver has a break (respite). This program is designed to give short-term, intermittent relief to the caregiver. The services should replace a task or period of time the caregiver would otherwise provide. Its not for ongoing, routine care. 
2. Pyx Health is a free wellness program to County residents, 60+ or disabled, to reduce loneliness by supporting mental and physical health. Offers a trusted combination of people, mobile app and health care resources. For more information click here or call 732-201-8642.
3. Active Daily Living Senior and Caregiver Information and Newsletter helps older adults and their family caregivers by providing free, personalized advice to enhance health, independence, and aging-in-place. Register at: middlesexcountynj.dailylivingadvice.com
4. AngelSense is a GPS monitoring solution offered free to county residents, in conjunction with the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office. AngelSense is designated specifically for individuals who have a history of eloping due to illness or disability (for example: Autism, Alzheimer’s). In order to register for the program, interested individuals or caregivers should call the Middlesex County Office of Aging and Disabled Services at 732-745-3295. 
5. Trualta is a web-based training platform built for family and self-directed caregivers. The goal is to develop confident and competent family caregivers that can manage care at home. Training is delivered via an informal and interactive online learning system tailored to each caregiver's situation. Register at: middlesexcountynj.gov/trualta

Caregiver Coalition 

Join a network of providers who offer support services or work with caregivers, not limited to familial or professional caregiving.  The coalition meets on a regular basis to discuss issues, events and projects relevant to caregivers in Middlesex County. Meetings are taking place hybrid format, in-person at the Sayreville Fire Academy and online via TEAMS. For meeting link, please reach out at least 24 hours in advance of meeting. Please email laila.caune@co.middlesex.nj.us.

More Information

Interested in more resources within Middlesex County, visit our office’s Aging and Disabled Resource Directory. The directory has various services and agencies for older adults (60+), individuals with disabilities (18+), and caregivers within Middlesex County. For a free physical copy of the directory, please call our office at (732) 745-3295

Interested in more caregiver resources outside of Middlesex County, visit the New Jersey Department of Human Resource’s Caregiver Resource page for more: click here.

As a new caregiver, you may not know where to start. You are not alone. Help is available, much of which can be found through the Middlesex County Office of Aging & Disabled by calling (732) 745-3295. More information and resources can also be found through the New Jersey Department of Human Services by calling 1-877-222-3737 or visit here.